Abused puppy, rescued from India, in need of a forever home

ELIOT, Maine — Meeting Meena, you are greeted by an exuberant, affectionate 9-month-old puppy. It's hard to imagine her struggle with abuse and her long journey from India to Eliot.

Comment

By Mark Pechenik

seacoastonline.com

By Mark Pechenik

Posted Oct. 9, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By Mark Pechenik

Posted Oct. 9, 2012 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

ELIOT, Maine — Meeting Meena, you are greeted by an exuberant, affectionate 9-month-old puppy. It's hard to imagine her struggle with abuse and her long journey from India to Eliot.

Meena's temporary guardian, Lindsey Reider, is hoping to find a permanent home for this courageous pup.

"Meena is a desi dog, a breed indigenous to India," explained Reider, who recently started her career as a nurse at Southern Maine Medical Center in Portland. "Unfortunately, Indian dog owners would rather have a pure-breed dog than a desi."

Reider first came upon Meena while visiting her fiance, Vivek, who is living in Delhi while completing graduate studies.

"She was living in the stairwell of his apartment building, rummaging through garbage in the hallway bins," Reider said.

Early on, a bond developed between Reider and Meena.

"She'd follow me when I came into the building," Reider said, "and I noticed that her hip was injured, probably from some recent abuse."

For this reason, Reider came running when she heard a dog's cry one evening.

"There was a guy in the hallway chasing Meena into a corner and beating her," she recalled.

Responding to demands that the beating stop, the tenant said that "he didn't like the dog because she sleeps outside his room," Reider said. "It was horrible, I just couldn't see someone doing that to her."

Acting quickly, Reider scooped Meena into her arms and brought her to safety inside her fiance's apartment.

During the following days, Reider received help from Friendicoes, Delhi's animal humane society, in tending to Meena's wounds. But a dog adoption was unlikely.

"I was told that, because she was just a street dog, that she'd probably live in the kennel forever," Reider said.

Such a dismal existence was unacceptable to Reider. Instead, she obtained the required distemper, tetanus and rabies shots for Meena that earned the puppy a health certificate for travel to the United States.

But even after her arrival in Eliot, Meena's trials were not over. Until recently, she was under treatment for pneumonia and she still needs hip surgery and care for a shattered front toe.

Reider is working with Kennebunk's Lucky Pup dog rescue organization to raise money to cover the medical expenses.

Despite such challenges, Meena remains happy with high energy. In Reider's kitchen, she plays with her toys, snuggles with family members, and always has a wagging tail for friends and newcomers alike.

For these reasons, Reider is confident the desi dog will make a great pet.

"I'd love to keep her. But I'm working 12-hour shifts at my new job and can't give the time necessary for a new dog," she said. "Also, I already have a dog and she's a little jealous. So, I'm hoping someone will come forward and adopt her."

Just what kind of owner would most enjoy Meena?

"She's very social and smart and is great with other dogs," Reider said. "I think she'd do great with a family that appreciates a loving, playful dog."

Those interested in helping with Meena's medical costs or possible adoption can call Reider at (207) 439-5346 or e-mail her at lindseyreider@gmail.com.